‘Miss Lyla’s Banana Pancakes’ wants to move kids

Sunday

Dec 30, 2012 at 3:15 AM

EXETER -- A new children’s book set to hit the shelves soon, “Miss Lyla’s Banana Pancakes to the Rescue!” hopes to inspire both parents and their kids to be aware of their bodies and what goes into them. The book, about a group of kids who decide to hold a fundraiser for a local fire station by having a pancake breakfast, was inspired by author Alicia Rossman’s own interactions with kids while she competed in the Miss America scholarship program.

“When I was in college, I would read to kids every year and tried to use books that incorporated nutrition,” Rossman said. “I finally said, ‘Why not make my own?!’”

Once Rossman got involved with the Miss America pageant, it only fueled her desire to reach kids even more.

“I went into the schools to read and cook with kids and teach them to aspire and have dreams,” she said. “I was trying to be a positive role model to inspire kids to make good choices.”

That aspiration led to Rossman becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher as well as a student of nutrition. She recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in nutritional sciences. In addition, she has been teaching yoga for kids in schools and through the company she runs with her Mom, “Let’s Get Movin’!”, a family yoga and nutrition business.

“Teaching yoga to kids is magical because it’s neat to see kids come to yoga and be excited to practice,” Rossman said. “It gives a chance to kids who may spend too much time in front of computers and video games, and for those kids who may not be into traditional sports, to be active.”

The lessons she imparts in her yoga classes go beyond the physical, however.

“We start every class with what we call ‘warm and fuzzies,’ which are basically positive affirmations,” Rossman says. “I do that as a way to combat the bullying and imaging issues many of them face. It also helps kids to find their voice.”

Rossman’s book, which places the kids in a yoga class taught by Miss Lyla, also encourages children to be more involved in what goes into their bodies. Miss Lyla takes the kids to the grocery store to buy all-natural ingredients for the banana pancakes they plan to make.

“I think it’s important for kids to be part of the cooking process, because too many of today’s families are rushing through life and may not be making meals to eat together,” Rossman said. “I would love to hear that families who read this are inspired to cook together, and are aware of what they are making and what goes into it. And, I believe kids are more apt to eat it when they help cook it.”

Rossman hopes her book, and the video series that is in development to accompany it, reaches a broad audience.

“Daycare centers, classrooms, kids at home who can’t afford a yoga class, home schooled kids,” Rossman said. She also plans to use her book tour as a way to offer either a yoga demonstration for kids, or an interactive cooking class to give children a chance to help her make the banana pancakes that are a central part of the book’s story.

The overall message Rossman hopes her readers get is one that First Lady Michelle Obama, another huge inspiration for Rossman’s book, tries to impart as well.

“I want kids to get healthy, get moving, and learn to give back,” Rossman says. “I want them to be inspired to live a well-rounded lifestyle, and know that these habits can affect them the rest of their lives. Seeing how they get so much from it hopefully makes kids feel like they can do anything.”

A book launch is planned at Water Street Bookstore, Exeter, January 3 at 4 p.m. A book signing will be at the Kingston Library on January 4 at 4 p.m. At both events personalized signed copies available and children will help make pancakes at the signing!

Copies of Rossman’s book also can be purchased by visiting the following website: http://www.ebookstand.com/book_details/Miss_Lylas_Banana_Pancakes_to_the_Rescue

For information on Rossman’s programs, you can visit her website at www.letsgetmovin.com, and she also has a Let’s Get Movin’! Facebook page.